Reaction to the death on Sunday of former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania:

—

“Arlen Specter was always a fighter. From his days stamping out corruption as a prosecutor in Philadelphia to his three decades of service in the Senate, Arlen was fiercely independent — never putting party or ideology ahead of the people he was chosen to serve. He brought that same toughness and determination to his personal struggles, using his own story to inspire others.” — President Barack Obama

—

“Arlen Specter loved our country and served it with integrity for three decades in the United States Senate. Laura and I appreciate his contributions to America and are grateful for his many years of public service. We send our condolences to his wife, Joan, and the Specter family.” — former President George W. Bush

—

“Jill and I are deeply saddened. Arlen Specter was a great senator who lived his life the way he died, with dignity and courage. He was my friend and I admired him a great deal. For over three decades, I watched his political courage accomplish great feats and was awed by his physical courage to never give up. Arlen never walked away from his principles and was at his best when they were challenged. Jill and I are thinking of Joan at the moment — she was an incredible partner through his life journey. Our hearts go out to Shanin and Stephen and all who were deeply touched by his life.” — Vice President Joe Biden

—

“He was a mentor, colleague and a political institution and on a personal level, he was my first boss. Sen. Specter did more for the people of Pennsylvania over his-more-than-30-year career with the possible exception of Benjamin Franklin. He was a champion for veterans across our state and beyond, and will be deeply missed.” — former Gov. Ed Rendell, who served as an assistant prosecutor when Specter was Philadelphia’s district attorney

—

“He generated a lot of support and a lot of dissent, but he was unafraid to be held accountable. … At the end of the day, he was one relentless, unapologetic fighter. Republicans and Democrats may not like how he voted, but they certainly had to respect his mindset.” — former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge

—

“Sen. Arlen Specter was a true Pennsylvania institution whose record of fighting for our commonwealth is unmatched. Sen. Specter’s contributions to Pennsylvania and the United States will leave a lasting legacy.” — Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn

—

“A man of sharp intelligence and dogged determination, Sen. Specter dedicated his life to public service and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His impact on our state and public policy will not be forgotten.” — Sen. Pat Toomey, who succeeded Specter

—

“Arlen was a statesman and a problem-solver who was able to work with Democrats and Republicans in the best interest of our commonwealth and our country. Arlen fought cancer courageously and his enduring legacy of support for the National Institutes of Health will help countless Americans as they battle cancer and other ailments.” — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)

—-

“Today, Saundy and I join Pennsylvanians in mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Specter’s family and friends at this difficult time.” — Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Tom Smith, who is challenging Casey

—

“He made tremendous and long-lived contributions to Pennsylvania and to our nation. He distinguished himself by leading on criminal justice issues, foreign affairs, and most especially, fighting for advances in health care research. Sen. Specter attacked problems and sought to find consensus for solutions. He cared deeply about his constituents and understood their concerns. He had a brilliant mind and required that those he entrusted be equally engaged in the issues he took on.” — Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.)

—

“Sen. Specter was a man of moderation; he was always passionate, but always easy to work with. I followed him through his previous illnesses, during the course of which he displayed great physical strength and great strength of character. Throughout his life, Sen. Specter fought and won many battles, but this was one he could not win. America is better today because of Arlen Specter.” — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)

—

“A legendary figure in his beloved Pennsylvania, Arlen Specter brought his fierce intellect and a prosecutor’s drive to countless battles in the Senate. He was a fighter to the end.” — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

—

“Arlen Specter was a friend and a senator who embodied the best values of the Senate. Like the Republicans who have represented Vermont, Arlen always understood the interest of the country had to come before the interest of the party. His was an example for all senators of either party. Marcelle and I express our condolences to Joan and their family.” — Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)

—

“I am so sad to learn of the loss of Sen. Arlen Specter. Sen. Specter exemplified public service at its best, always working with Democrats and Republicans to do what he thought was best for our country. Pennsylvanians and all Americans were fortunate to have the senator as our representative. My thoughts and prayers are with the Senator’s family and loved ones. We will always be grateful for his service.” — Pennsylvania congressional candidate Kathy Boockvar

—

“Love him or hate him, Arlen Specter was a major shaper of public life in Philadelphia for more than 45 years. People got into politics to support him, and they got into politics to oppose him. He was the first Pennsylvania politician to take the concerns of gays seriously, and the last Pennsylvania Republican leader to take the concerns of blacks seriously. Despite his wavering from party to party and side to side, Arlen Specter clearly stood for moderation, inclusiveness, modernization and professionalization of government and the legal system. And, as his famous 1969 campaign slogan went, ‘Nobody Owned Him.’ ” — State Rep. Mark B. Cohen, senior member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly